Local law 97 in New York City is an outstanding initiative to reduce carbon emissions from large buildings in the near future. Energy usage is a key concern behind carbon emissions from properties in NYC. Therefore, complying with LL97 largely revolves around embracing energy efficiency measures. Delve deeper into this article to learn about the top energy efficiency upgrades that can help property owners undertake actionable steps toward local law 97 compliance.
Improve the HVAC Systems
If your property falls under the local law 97 covered buildings list, focus on optimizing your HVAC systems immediately. It is one of the key sources of power consumption in any establishment. Regular maintenance and proper insulation are necessary to keep the HVAC system utilizing an optimal amount of power.
Leverage smart controls to modify temperature as per time and occupancy. Any HVAC system with high efficiency will enhance comfort inside a building while keeping utility bills low. Begin with assessing the age, condition, and electricity consumption levels of an HVAC system before going for an upgrade.
The strength of the distribution system will also play a major role in the functionality of an HVAC system. If you think you need to upgrade the HVAC system, go for models with high Energy Star certifications and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Models with variable speed motors are the best because they can modify the speed as per demand.
If you want your HVAC system to consume less electricity, insulate your walls, windows, and doors properly. It will help bring down the amount of heat transfer and keep the indoor temperature consistent. Sealing air leaks and insulating areas surrounded by ductwork carefully will also prevent unnecessary wastage of electricity and fulfill LL97 requirements.
Also Read: Local Law 97 and What it Means for NYC Building Owners
Leverage Sources of Renewable Energy
Adopting renewable energy remains one of the best LL97 compliance solutions. While upgrading your power systems, you can consider installing solar panels on your roof. These systems will generate electricity from sunlight and can help with different building operations.
Are you worried about the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Use a local law 97 calculator to determine the fines that you will have to bear for non-compliance. Once you do that, you will realize that the expense of installing solar panels is lower than bearing the penalty amount.
Depending on the location of your property, you can also utilize the potential of wind energy through turbines. One can easily install small-scale wind turbines on their rooftop and generate electricity from them. But before doing that, you need to look into considerations like average wind speeds and local regulations.
If you can’t directly install renewable energy systems on your property, you can procure it from other sources. Several utility companies now allow homeowners to obtain electricity from renewable sources.
Upgrade the Building Envelope
With local law 97 explained to you in this article, you will dig out the significance of the building envelope for optimized power usage. Sealing air leaks and proper insulation throughout the establishment will enhance the amount of thermal efficiency. With desirable temperature inside, the HVAC systems will work less hard, and it will definitely bring down electricity usage.
Apart from being one of the best local law 97 compliance solutions, a building envelope can also improve the comfort of occupants by eliminating drafts and temperature changes. An air barrier test is essential for understanding the functionality of the building envelope in keeping air leakage at bay.
After performing the test, address all problematic areas to optimize power consumption. Property owners should also go ahead with energy-efficient models of doors and windows instead of traditional versions. Doors and windows with low-emissivity coating and multiple layers of glazing are suitable for properties looking forward to achieving LL97 compliance.
Another area to focus on for achieving optimized electricity usage is roofing. Reflective roof coatings are ideal for lowering heat absorption and cooling loads. Moreover, sufficient insulation in the roof is necessary for keeping heat loss or gain at bay.
Concentrate on the Lighting Systems
The best LL97 compliance consulting services require you to check your lighting systems to achieve energy efficiency. Regular bulbs don’t belong in modern, energy-efficient homes due to their high electric consumption. An outstanding alternative to these traditional bulbs is an LED.
LEDs will brighten up indoor spaces with minimal power consumption. Therefore, you will have a well-lit environment inside your building without high utility bills. Moreover, LEDs are highly durable and can last for years.
If you are thinking about upgrading the lighting systems in your establishment, begin with assessing the existing lights. Check out the types of bulbs, fixtures, and controls on your property. Moreover, you should determine the amount of electricity they are consuming.
By getting hold of energy consumption data, you will be able to estimate the possible power savings by switching to LED lighting. The implementation of modern and advanced lighting controls will also help in achieving power efficiency.
For instance, you can invest in lighting systems with daylight sensors, occupancy sensors, and dimming capabilities. These advanced controls support energy savings through automated lighting adjustments.
Embrace Energy Management Systems
If you are looking for initiatives to adhere to local law 97, an energy management system (EMS) can be of considerable help. By monitoring the level of electricity usage, these systems will effectively improve power consumption. Energy management systems have advanced sensors and software solutions to procure and assess real-time electricity consumption data.
As a result, it becomes easier for building owners to discover areas of improvement and manage their power usage accordingly. These systems will provide you with valuable insights into the power consumption patterns of your property and implement the right measures for conservation.
Before choosing an EMS for LL 97 compliance consulting solutions, you need to undertake a needs assessment of your building. You will have to concentrate on factors like property size, power consumption patterns, and power management goals. This assessment will help you pick the right EMS.
Property owners should also establish proper data communication and integration between the EMS and the other systems inside the establishments. For instance, integrating the HVAC system, lighting system, and other equipment responsible for power consumption can help with coordinated power management.
Building owners will also benefit from utilizing the power of the EMS to run automated controls and efficiency measures. For instance, an EMS can help you establish setpoints and schedules for lighting, HVAC systems, and other equipment according to power demand and occupancy patterns. Several advanced algorithms and predictive analytics models are also available for driving forward your power conservation measures and eliminating wastage. Strategies like occupancy-based controls, load shifting, and demand response will be highly suitable for power conservation.
The Role of Audits in Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Properties should undergo in-depth audits to get a detailed idea about power usage. A qualified auditor can help property owners discover inefficiencies and prioritize the most rewarding power consumption measures. Hidden sources of power wastage and potential opportunities for retrofitting will come to the limelight through an audit.
Professional auditors can also determine the overall power usage in your building, along with patterns and peak consumption periods. They will provide you with different recommendations regarding power efficiency to help you make informed decisions toward local law 97 compliance. Moreover, audits can provide information regarding incentives, financing options, and rebates available for energy efficiency upgrades.
Ending Note
Choosing the right power system upgrades to meet the requirements of local law 97 can be quite challenging. Therefore, it is always prudent to seek help from professional LL97 compliance consulting services. At Local Law 97 Guide, we can help you choose the right measures for power efficiency to adhere to LL97 requirements. Contact our experts today to perform a power consumption audit of your property and determine valuable solutions.
FAQs:
Which buildings need to abide by the regulations of local law 97?
Local law 97 is applicable for all NYC buildings with an area of 25,000 square feet. The large buildings in NYC are usually the biggest producers of harmful carbon emissions in the environment. Complying with LL97 will help significantly bring down the level of carbon emissions and help NYC fulfill its long-term goal of becoming cleaner and more sustainable.
Are there any incentives available for energy efficiency upgrades?
Buildings undergoing energy efficiency upgrades to comply with the requirements of local law 97 might be eligible for some incentives. Rebates and other financial programs are also available to support power system upgrades. These local, state, or federal programs will help property owners lower the cost of implementing the recommended power efficiency measures.
Who can help determine my energy efficiency requirements?
Property owners can hire energy efficiency consultants for a detailed energy audit of their buildings. The energy audit will reveal details regarding areas of energy wastage and patterns of power consumption. Moreover, auditors will provide you with valuable recommendations regarding achieving energy efficiency in your property.